Southern California -- this just in

Rock climber injured in 50-foot fall at Joshua Tree National Park

Officials Wednesday were advising rock climbers at Joshua Tree National Park to use helmets after a San Diego man fell 50 feet and injured his head.

The climber, identified as Michael Mullen, 30, was scaling Outer Mongolia Rock formation with friends Monday afternoon when he lost his footing and fell, a park spokesman said.

Mullin also was cut and scraped during the fall. He was taken by a helicopter to Loma Linda University Medical Center for treatment. Details on his condition were not released Wednesday.

About 20 people, including Park Service personnel, San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department deputies and volunteers, were involved in the rescue operation, which took about three hours, park spokesman Joe Zarki said in a statement.